SINGAPORE: For the past four years, I have watched with dismay as Donald Trump’s administration progressively loosened oversight of polluting industries and eroded protections for wildlife.
The election of Joe Biden gives me hope for the future. I am not alone – a survey of nearly 900 international scientists prior to the election overwhelmingly wanted Biden to be elected the next US president.The scientific community identified climate change and the US response to the COVID-19 pandemic as the main issues that have influenced who they support in this election.
I hope he moves with the urgency required. It is evident the environment and economy are intertwined.In 2020 alone, the US faced 16 climate disaster events with losses exceeding US$1 billion each. In addition, there were 12 land-falling hurricanes in the US, beating the previous record of nine set in 1916.
But as important as rejoining the Paris Agreement is, a more significant demonstration of Biden’s determination will come in the form of the target that the US puts on the table, as its contribution toward meeting the goals of the Agreement.Although carbon dioxide emissions have fallen dramatically since lockdowns were imposed around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we must build on this progress, not go backwards.
Biden also wants to spend heavily on public transport, invest in electric vehicle manufacturing and charging points, and give consumers financial incentives to trade up to cleaner cars.As a sign of the commitment to these policy objectives, John Kerry, the former US Secretary of State and Democratic presidential nominee, has beenFor the first time, climate change will have a seat on the US’ National Security Council.
For the first time ever, this puts the Paris Agreement's 1.5 degrees Celsius limit within striking distance. For example, we should recognise that the COVID-19 pandemic is the price the world is paying for ignoring warnings from scientists and activists about the need for humanity to reset its relationship with nature.
Research is needed to analyse and understand if the experience of the pandemic has changed attitudes, which can have a powerful influence over behaviour.However, we should be realistic. 71 million people voted for Trump, and the Republican Party will most likely retain control of the Senate, potentially making it difficult for Biden’s administration to implement sweeping reforms.
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